Black History Month at 100, Time to Pause

February always moves quickly, and this year it feels really fast. Yet in 2026, Black History Month marks a milestone, the 100th anniversary of its origins and 50 years since federal recognition. As the calendar races ahead, this moment calls for more than acknowledgment. It calls for reflection.

To slow the pace and create space for perspective, CommPRO is launching a series of Black History reflections from our contributors. These essays will explore leadership, culture, media, business, and lived experience, connecting history to the realities communicators face today. As media attention grows, our goal is to move beyond headlines and visibility toward insight that lasts beyond February.

We are tracking coverage of Black History Month throughout the month using Truescope media intelligence. The data shows increased volume and deeper storytelling tied to the centennial, alongside renewed focus on education, representation, and cultural context.

Much of that coverage revisits the legacy of historian Carter G. Woodson, who helped shape how Black history is understood and taught. February’s significance is reinforced by its connection to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, situating Black history firmly within the American narrative.

Formally recognized at the national level in 1976 by Gerald Ford, Black History Month has continued to evolve. In this centennial year, it is being marked by expanded programming at museums, universities, and community institutions, as well as broader global and multicultural perspectives.

As February moves quickly, this series is our invitation to pause, reflect, and listen. Black History Month at 100 reminds communicators that how stories are told, and whose stories are told, still matters.